Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, claims innocence in a trial set to begin on July 14.
Charges Against Roman Storm
Roman Storm faces three felony charges including conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to violate sanctions law. Federal prosecutors allege that Tornado Cash was used to launder over $1 billion in illicit funds, including links to North Korea's Lazarus hacker group. Storm denies knowingly facilitating criminal activity, stating that Tornado Cash was designed to protect user privacy.
Arrest and Bail Conditions
Storm was arrested in August 2023. He reports being under strict bail conditions without access to bank accounts or crypto wallets. 'I’m being punished before being proven guilty,' he stated.
Significance of the Case for Developers
Storm warned that a conviction could harm developers and open-source innovation in the U.S. crypto space. 'If I lose my case, DeFi dies with me,' he remarked, asserting that treating developers as criminals sets a dangerous precedent.
The trial of Roman Storm is significant for the future of software development in the crypto industry. Support for his defense continues to grow among industry figures.
